Side airbag device and method for manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

A side airbag device with a base member for an inflator to be easily fixed thereto, and a method for manufacturing same is provided. The side airbag device includes: an airbag; an inflator configured to supply the airbag with gas; a base member configured to accommodate the airbag and the inflator, and to be fixed to a vehicle body; an outer covering member configured to cover at least a front side of the base member to form a front-facing interior surface; and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes an inflator fixing portion to which the inflator is fixed and a base member fixing portion which is located in a position different from a position of the inflator fixing portion and fixed to the base member. The base member includes, at a left or right side portion thereof, a bracket fixing portion to which the mounting bracket is fixed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a side airbag device disposed between avehicle body and a seat, and a method for manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND ART

A side airbag device disposed between a seat of a vehicle and a sidewallof a vehicle body, and configured to deploy toward a side space of anoccupant in a broadside collision of the vehicle is known in the art.The side airbag device includes an inflator configured to cause gases toissue which in turn cause an airbag to deploy. The inflator typicallyhas a bolt integrated therewith, and this bolt is oriented in a rearwarddirection of the seat and fastened to a mount portion of the vehiclebody or a seat frame located at the rear side of the inflator (e.g., seePatent document 1).

In the side airbag device of Patent document 1, a module case in whichthe inflator and the airbag are housed includes an inner portion and anouter portion extending frontward at the left and right sides of theinflator and thus enclosing the inflator.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent document 1: JP 5408360 B2

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In some cases, where the base member accommodating the inflator and theairbag is surrounded as in a box with a case or a cushion pad, the basemember may be difficult for the inflator to be fixed thereto.

It would be desirable that the fixing of the inflator to the base memberbe made easier, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the sideairbag device.

For the side airbag device, typically, it would seem to be desirablethat the airbag be caused to deploy stably along the sidewall of thevehicle body, and that the airbag be restrained from rapidly andviolently inflating for deployment. Furthermore, the side airbag deviceconfigured to be compact in size would be desirable.

Against the backdrop of these circumstances, a new form of a side airbagdevice disposed between a vehicle body and a seat is proposed. A sideairbag device disclosed herein, in one aspect, comprises: an airbag; aninflator configured to supply the airbag with gas; a base memberconfigured to accommodate the airbag and the inflator, and to be fixedto the vehicle body; an outer covering member configured to cover atleast a front side of the base member to form a front-facing interiorsurface; and a mounting bracket which includes an inflator fixingportion to which the inflator is fixed and a base member fixing portionwhich is located in a position different from a position of the inflatorfixing portion and fixed to the base member. The base member comprises,at a left or right side portion thereof, a bracket fixing portion towhich the mounting bracket is fixed.

With this configuration, the inflator may be fixed to the mountingbracket to form a subassembly, of which the mounting bracket can thus befixed to the base member by making use of the base member fixingportion; therefore, the mounting of the inflator to the base member canbe performed with ease. Accordingly, the ease of assembly of the sideairbag device can be improved.

In the above-described configuration, the inflator fixing portion maypreferably be located closer, than the base member fixing portion, tothe interior surface.

With this configuration in which the inflator fixing portion is locatedcloser, than the base member fixing portion, to the interior surface,the airbag is made unlikely to get hitched on the base member fixingportion upon deployment, and thus allowed to deploy stably.

In the above-described configuration, the base member fixing portion maybe located farther, than the inflator, away from the interior surface.

With this configuration, the base member fixing portion is in a positionshifted rearward relative to a position of the inflator; thus, themounting bracket can be fixed to the base member by making use of thebase member fixing portion with ease.

In the above-described configuration, the inflator fixing portion may belocated closer, than the base member fixing portion, to a center of thebase member in a lateral direction.

This location of the inflator fixing portion closer to the center of thebase member in the lateral direction would make it easy to have othermembers (such as a nut to be applied to a bolt for fastening theinflator) arranged on one side of the center of the base member in thelateral direction which side is opposite to a side on which the inflatorfixing portion is located (the inner side in the lateral direction asdefined with respect to the vehicle body).

In the above-described configuration, the inflator may comprise aplurality of bolts.

Herein, the inflator fixing portion may comprise a plurality of inflatorfixing holes through which the plurality of bolts are disposed,respectively.

Fixing of the inflator by the use of a plurality of bolts as in thisconfiguration makes it possible to fix the inflator stably.

In the above-described configuration, the base member fixing portion maycomprise a plurality of base member fixing holes through which aplurality of fastening members are disposed, respectively.

With this configuration, the mounting bracket can be fixed more stablyto the base member by the use of a plurality of fastening members.

In the above-described configuration, the base member may comprise aninner portion located laterally farther inward within the vehicle bodyrelative to the airbag.

Herein, the mounting bracket may preferably be fixed to the innerportion.

With this configuration, the airbag is constrained at the inner portionto which the inflator is fixed, and thus tends to be forced to getinflated outward in the lateral direction as defined with respect to thevehicle body, i.e., on a side opposite to a side on which the innerportion is located. This makes the airbag likely to deploy along thesidewall of the vehicle body.

Where the inflator is fixed to the inner portion, the airbag may be madelikely to inflate rearward of the seat. Therefore, even if a forceproduced upon deployment of the airbag is great, the airbag can becaused to inflate rearward to some extent, so that the airbag can berestrained from rapidly and violently inflating frontward fordeployment.

The base member may preferably include a wire frame made of a metal rod.

The base member configured to include such a wire frame serves toprovide the base member with increased rigidity; thus, the side airbagdevice can be configured to be compact in size.

The side airbag device may further comprise a cushion pad with which thebase member is covered.

A method for manufacturing a side airbag device as described above maycomprise the steps of: forming a cushion pad integrally with the basemember; fixing the base member to the vehicle body; and fixing, to thebase member, the mounting bracket to which the inflator is fixed.

With this manufacturing method, even after the base member is surroundedwith the cushion pad as a result of forming the cushion pad integrallywith the base member, the inflator can be fixed to the base membereasily by fixing to the base member the mounting bracket to which theinflator is fixed.

Proposed as another aspect is a side airbag device with an inflatorfixed to a vehicle body by a base member made of a wire frame which sideairbag device is configured such that the airbag can be made unlikely toget hitched on the wire frame upon deployment, and thus regularity inshape alteration of the airbag upon deployment can be improved. A sideairbag device disclosed herein comprises: an airbag; an inflatorconfigured to supply the airbag with gas; and a base member having astorage space in which the airbag and the inflator are accommodated,which base member is to be fixed to the vehicle body. The base memberincludes a wire frame made of a metal rod, and a guide plate made of ametal plate which guide plate is located on a storage-space side of afront edge portion of the wire frame. The guide plate is fixed to thefront edge portion of the wire frame.

With this configuration in which the guide plate is located on thestorage-space side of the wire frame, the airbag can be made unlikely toget hitched on the wire frame, and thus allowed to deploy stably.Moreover, the guide plate may serve to reinforce the front edge portionof the wire frame, so that the rigidity of the base member can beenhanced. Furthermore, fixing of the guide plate to the front edgeportion of the wire frame results in mutual reinforcement of the frontedge portion of the guide plate and the front edge portion of the wireframe, and thus serves to enhance the rigidity of the front edge portionof the base member.

The side airbag device described above may be configured such that thebase member comprises an outer portion located laterally farther outwardwithin the vehicle body relative to the airbag, and the guide platecomprises a first guide plate provided along a front edge portion of theouter portion.

With this configuration, the front edge portion of the outer portion canbe reinforced; therefore, the front edge portion can be made unlikely tobecome warped out of shape upon deployment of the airbag, so that theairbag can be caused to stably deploy frontward.

The first guide plate described above may preferably be provided alongthe length from an upper end to a lower end of the outer portion.

The first guide plate may preferably include, at a rear end portionthereof, a flange extending outward in a lateral direction as definedwith respect to the vehicle body.

With this configuration in which the first guide plate includes a flangeextending outward in the lateral direction, even when deployment of theairbag tends to cause the outer portion to spread out and become warpedoutward in the lateral direction, the edge of the flange can come incontact with the vehicle body, and thus serve to restrain the outerportion from becoming warped further.

Moreover, the flange may preferably be in contact with the vehicle body.If the flange is in contact with the vehicle body, the outer portion canbe made more unlikely to become warped upon deployment of the airbag.

In the airbag device describe above, the base member may comprise aninner portion located laterally farther inward within the vehicle bodyrelative to the airbag.

The guide plate may comprise a second guide plate provided along a frontedge portion of the inner portion.

Provision of the second guide plate may serve to restrain the innerportion from becoming warped upon deployment of the airbag.

The second guide plate described above may preferably be provided alongthe length from an upper end to a lower end of the inner portion.

The second guide plate may preferably be parallel to the first guideplate. Herein, the term “parallel” herein referred to may include aposition displaced slightly from a parallel position due tomanufacturing error or the like, or a position slanting at an angle upto 3 degrees.

The side airbag device described above may further comprise an outercovering member configured to cover at least a front side of the basemember, and a hook member provided at an end portion of the outercovering member to fasten the outer covering member. Herein, the basemember may include an outer covering anchorage portion on which the hookmember is hooked, which outer covering anchorage portion is locatedbehind the guide plate as viewed from the storage space.

With this configuration in which the outer covering anchorage portion onwhich the hook member is hooked is located behind the guide plate asviewed from the storage space, the airbag can be caused to deploy stablywithout getting hitched on the outer covering anchorage portion when theairbag is caused to deploy.

In the side airbag device described above, the base member may comprise:an outer portion located laterally farther outward within the vehiclebody relative to the airbag; and a rear portion located farther rearwardrelative to the airbag with respect to a front-rear direction of theseat. Herein, preferably, the outer portion includes an outer-sidefixing portion to be fixed to the vehicle body, and the rear portionincludes a rear-side fixing portion to be fixed to the vehicle body.

The side airbag device may further comprise an outer covering memberconfigured to cover at least a front side of the base member to form afront-facing interior surface. Herein, the outer-side fixing portion maypreferably be located closer, than the rear-side fixing portion, to theinterior surface.

With this configuration in which the base member is to be fixed to thevehicle body at the outer-side fixing portion provided in the outerportion and at the rear-side fixing portion provided in the rearportion, the side airbag device can be fixed steadily in position.Therefore, even if a force produced upon deployment of the airbag isgreat, the base member can be kept in position steadily, so that theairbag can be caused to deploy stably.

With the outer-side fixing portion being located closer, than therear-side fixing portion, to the interior surface, the side airbagdevice can be fixed steadily in position.

In yet another aspect, a side airbag device in which a base member isrestrained from becoming warped out of shape so that an airbag can becaused to deploy stably is proposed. A side airbag device disclosedherein comprises: an airbag; an inflator configured to supply the airbagwith gas; a base member configured to accommodate the airbag and theinflator, and fixed to a vehicle body; and an outer covering memberconfigured to cover at least a front side of the base member to form afront-facing interior surface. The base member includes a wire framemade of a metal rod. The wire frame includes: an outer wire frame makingup at least part of an outer portion located laterally farther outwardwithin the vehicle body relative to the airbag; an inner wire framemaking up at least part of an inner portion located laterally fartherinward within the vehicle body relative to the airbag; a rear wire framelocated farther rearward relative to the airbag with respect to afront-rear direction of the seat, the rear wire frame connecting theouter wire frame and the inner wire frame; and at least one bridgingportion located apart from and farther frontward relative to the rearwire frame, the at least one bridging portion connecting the outer wireframe and the inner wire frame. At least one of the bridging portionsincludes a laterally outer end portion fixed to a laterally inner sidesurface of the outer wire frame, and a laterally inner end portion fixedto a laterally outer side surface of the inner wire frame.

With this configuration in which the base member includes a bridgingportion connecting the inner wire frame and the outer wire frame, theinner portion and the outer portion are made unlikely to spread out andbecome warped out of shape laterally outward. This makes it possible tocause the airbag to deploy stably.

Since at least one of the bridging portions includes a laterally outerend portion fixed to a laterally inner side surface of the outer wireframe, and a laterally inner end portion fixed to a laterally outer sidesurface of the inner wire frame, the outer wire frame and the inner wireframe can be connected firmly at their portions located at shortdistance.

In the side airbag device described above, the bridging portion mayinclude a first bridging portion connecting an upper portion of theouter portion and an upper portion of the inner portion. Additionally oralternatively, the bridging portion may include a second bridgingportion connecting a lower portion of the outer portion and a lowerportion of the inner portion.

Connection between the outer wire frame and the inner wire frame attheir upper and lower portions by the first bridging portion and thesecond bridging portion would make the base member more unlikely tobecome warped out of shape.

The side airbag device described above may preferably be configured suchthat the inflator includes a cylindrical main body and a bolt providedprotrusively from the main body, wherein the bridging portion is locatedfarther, than a center of the main body, away from the interior surface.

With this configuration in which the bridging portion is locatedfarther, than the center of the main body, away from the interiorsurface, when the airbag is caused to deploy from the interior surfaceout into the vehicle interior, the airbag can be made unlikely to gethitched on the bridging portion, and thus allowed to deploy stably.

Additionally, the side airbag device may further comprise a mountingbracket which includes an inflator fixing portion to which the inflatoris fixed and a base member fixing portion which is located in a positiondifferent from a position of the inflator fixing portion and fixed tothe base member. Preferably, the inflator fixing portion may have aninflator fixing hole through which the bolt of the inflator is disposed,and the bridging portion may be located farther, than the inflatorfixing hole, away from the interior surface.

With this configuration in which the bridging portion is locatedfarther, than the inflator fixing hole, away from the interior surface,when the airbag is caused to deploy from the interior surface out intothe vehicle interior, the airbag can be made unlikely to get hitched onthe bridging portion, and thus allowed to deploy stably.

Moreover, the bridging portion may preferably be located farther, thanevery part of the main body, away from the interior surface.

With the bridging portion located farther, than every part of the mainbody, away from the interior surface, when the airbag is caused todeploy from the interior surface out into the vehicle interior, theairbag can be made unlikely to get hitched on the bridging portion, andthus allowed to deploy stably.

The side airbag device described above may be configured such that thebase member includes a wire frame made of a metal rod, wherein the wireframe includes an outer wire frame making up at least part of the outerportion, and an inner wire frame making up at least part of the innerportion, and wherein the bridging portion connects the outer wire frameand the inner wire frame.

With this configuration in which the base member is made with the wireframe, the rigidity of the base member can be increased easily, so thatthe side airbag device can be made compact in size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1] is a diagram of a vehicle in which a side airbag device isprovided, as viewed from interior of the vehicle.

[FIG. 2] is a perspective view of the side airbag device and a sidepanel of a vehicle body to which the side airbag device is fixed.

[FIG. 3] is a perspective view of the side airbag device as viewed fromthe side-panel side.

[FIG. 4] is an exploded perspective view of the side airbag device.

[FIG. 5] is a perspective view of a base member as viewed from alaterally inward direction of the vehicle body.

[FIG. 6] is a perspective view of the base member as viewed from alaterally outward direction of the vehicle body.

[FIG. 7] is a horizontal section of the side airbag device.

[FIG. 8] is a diagram of the side airbag device as viewed from thelaterally inward direction.

[FIG. 9] includes (a) a diagram for explaining a mode of fixing an outerwire frame and an inner wire frame to a bridging portion; (b) a diagramshowing a desirable area to be joined of the outer wire frame; and (c) adiagram showing a desirable area to be joined of the inner wire frame.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment ofthe present invention with reference made to accompanying drawings whereappropriate. As shown in FIG. 1, a side airbag device 1 is a deviceapplied principally to a rear seat of an automobile, and is disposedbetween a seat S and a part of a vehicle body (i.e., a sidewall BS and adoor BD).

The seat S includes a seat cushion S1 and a seat back S2, and the seatback S2 is rotatable about an axis provided at a lower end thereof sothat it is tiltable frontward. The side airbag device 1 is fixed to thesidewall BS, and not fixed to the seat back S2. Therefore, when the seatback S2 is tilted frontward, the side airbag device 1 remains on thesidewall BS and gets exposed, though not illustrated. The side airbagdevice 1 has a front surface flush substantially with a front surface ofthe seat back S2, and thus looks as if it is a part of the seat back S2when the seat S is in normal use position. Although the side airbagdevice 1 described herein in accordance with this embodiment is onewhich is installed on the left-hand side within the vehicle body (at theleft side of the seat S), it is to be understood that the side airbagdevice having a reverse configuration as a mirror image of theillustrated configuration may be provided on the right-hand side withinthe vehicle body. In describing the present embodiment, unless otherwisenoted, the terms “laterally inward (inner)” or “laterally outward(outer)” are used to indicate relative positions or directions, not withrespect to the side airbag device 1 itself, but with respect to thevehicle body. In other words, “inward (inner)” refers to a positioncloser to the center in the lateral direction within the vehicle body,and “outward (outer)” refers to a position farther from the center inthe lateral direction within the vehicle body. Similarly, the term“front-rear direction” is used to indicate, unless otherwise noted, thefront-rear direction as defined with respect to the seat S.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sidewall BS includes a side panel 200 inside,and the side airbag device 1 is fixed to the side panel 200.

The side panel 200 includes, as examples of a mount portion 210 for theside airbag device 1 to be mounted thereto, first mount holes 211provided in a laterally-inward-facing surface and second mount holes 212provided in a front-facing surface. The first mount holes 211 and thesecond mount holes 212 are provided in twos; of each two, one isarranged above the other.

The side panel 200 also includes tool access holes 215 provided in thelaterally-inward-facing surface to permit a tool for use in mounting theside airbag device 1 to be inserted therethrough. The tool access holes215 are provided in twos, of which one is arranged above the other.

As described above, the side airbag device 1 is so arranged that whenthe seat back S2 is tilted frontward, a front side, a laterally innerside and an upper side thereof gets exposed; therefore, these sides arecovered with an outer covering member 7. Accordingly, in the side airbagdevice 1, the outer covering member 7 forms a front-facing interiorsurface 1A, a laterally-inward-facing inner surface 1B, and a topsurface 1C.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer covering member 7 is further configured tohave a margin wrapped around the front side extending over a laterallyouter side rearward to some extent. Thus, the outer covering member 7forms an outward-facing surface 1D.

As shown in FIG. 4, the side airbag device 1 is configured to comprisean airbag 2, an inflator 3, a base member 4, and a mounting bracket 30.

The airbag 2 is a member inflated with gas supplied inside and caused todeploy in a collision of the vehicle, as known in the art.

The inflator 3 is a member configured to supply the airbag 2 with gas.The inflator 3 includes a cylindrical main body 3A and bolts 3B providedprotrusively from the main body 3A. A plurality of (two in thisembodiment) bolts 3B are provided herein and arranged along an axis ofthe main body 3A; each bolt 3B is oriented toward the axis of the mainbody 3A and fixed to the main body 3A.

The base member 4 is a member configured to accommodate the airbag 2 andthe inflator 3, and to be fixed to the vehicle body (to the side panel200 in this embodiment). Although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the basemember 4 is covered with a cushion pad 6 (see FIG. 7), and an outside ofthe cushion pad 6 is covered with the outer covering member 7. To bemore specific, the outer covering member 7 covers at least a front sideof the base member 4.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the base member 4 includes a wire frame10 and a guide plate 20.

The wire frame 10 is made of bent metal rods and includes an outer wireframe 11, an inner wire frame 12, a rear wire frame 13, and a bridgingportion 14. Inside space surrounded by these elements form a storagespace 51 in which the airbag 2 and the inflator 3 are accommodated.

The guide plate 20 is made of metal plates, and includes a first guideplate 21 fixed to the outer wire frame 11 and a second guide plate 22fixed to the inner wire frame 12.

The outer wire frame 11 includes a front edge portion 11A extending inan upward-downward direction, an upper edge portion 11B extending froman upper end of the front edge portion 11A (at which the outer wireframe 11 is bent) rearward, a lower edge portion 11C extending from alower end of the front edge portion 11A (at which the outer wire frame11 is bent) rearward and further extending in an obliquelyrearward-and-upward direction, a rear edge portion 11D extending from arear end of the upper edge portion 11B (at which the outer wire frame 11is bent) downward and connected to the lower edge portion 11C, and anouter covering anchorage portion 11F extending in the upward-downwarddirection and connecting the upper edge portion 11B and the lower edgeportion 11C. The rear edge portion 11D has a stepped shape with a lowerportion thereof shifted to the front with respect to an upper portionthereof. Connection at respective connected portions to make up the wireframe 10 is established by welding.

First fixing plates 15A, 15B made of metal plates and provided to fixthe outer wire frame 11 to the side frame 200 are fixed to the outerwire frame 11 by welding.

The first fixing plate 15A is fixed by welding to the upper edge portion11B and to the rear edge portion 11D. The first fixing plate 15B islocated under the first fixing plate 15A, and fixed to the rear edgeportion 11D by welding. To elaborate more on the manner of fixing of thefirst fixing plates 15A, 15B, the first fixing plates 15A, 15B are eachformed to have a substantially rectangular shape. The outer wire frame11 includes an L-shaped portion 11X located along two adjacent sides (tobe more specific, an upper side and a rear side) of the first fixingplate 15A, and an L-shaped portion 11Y located along two adjacent sides(to be more specific, a lower side and a rear side) of the first fixingplate 15B. The L-shaped portion 11X is fixed to the first fixing plate15A with two welds W1 provided at the two sides of the first fixingplate 15A. Similarly, the L-shaped portion 11Y is fixed to the firstfixing plate 15B with two welds W2 provided at the two sides of thefirst fixing plate 15B. With these L-shaped portions 11X, 11Y fixed tothe two sides of the first fixing plates 15A, 15B, respectively, therigidity of the peripheral edges of the first fixing plates 15A, 15B canbe enhanced, and the side airbag device 1 can be fixed firmly to thevehicle body.

A nut N1 is fixed by welding to the laterally inner side of each firstfixing plate 15A, 15B. Although not designated by reference numerals,the first fixing plates 15A, 15B each have a through hole formed in aposition corresponding to the nut N1.

The outer wire frame 11, the first guide plate 21, and the first fixingplates 15A, 15B constitute an outer portion located laterally fartheroutward within the vehicle body relative to the airbag 2. In otherwords, the outer wire frame 11 makes up at least part of the outerportion. The outer portion includes the nuts N1 of the first fixingplates 15A, 15B, as an outer-side fixing portion to be fixed to thevehicle body.

The outer covering anchorage portion 11F is a portion on which a hook 7A(see FIG. 7) as a hook member provided at an end portion of the outercovering member 7 to fasten the outer covering member 7 is hooked. It islocated behind the first guide plate 21 as viewed from the storage space51.

The inner wire frame 12 includes a front edge portion 12A extending inthe upward-downward direction, an upper edge portion 12B extending froman upper end of the front edge portion 12A (at which the inner wireframe 12 is bent) rearward, a lower edge portion 12C extending from alower end of the front edge portion 12A (at which the inner wire frame12 is bent) rearward and further extending in an obliquelyrearward-and-upward direction, and a rear edge portion 12D extendingfrom a rear end of the upper edge portion 12B (at which the inner wireframe 12 is bent) downward and connected to the lower edge portion 12C.

Third fixing plates 16A, 16B made of metal plates and provided to fixthe mounting bracket 30 thereto are fixed to the inner wire frame 12 bywelding. The third fixing plate 16A is fixed to the rear edge portion12D by welding. The third fixing plate 16B is located under the thirdfixing plate 16A, and fixed to the rear edge portion 12D by welding. Toelaborate more on the manner of fixing of the third fixing plates 16A,16B, the third fixing plates 16A, 16B are each formed to have asubstantially rectangular shape. The inner wire frame 12 includes aU-shaped portion 16X located along three sides (to be more specific, anupper side, a rear side and a lower side) of the third fixing plate 16A,and an L-shaped portion 16Y located along two adjacent sides (to be morespecific, an upper side and a rear side) of the third fixing plate 16B.The U-shaped portion 16X is fixed to the third fixing plate 16A withthree welds W3 provided at the three sides of the third fixing plate16A. Similarly, the L-shaped portion 16Y is fixed to the third fixingplate 16B with two welds W4 provided at the two sides of the thirdfixing plate 16B. With the U-shaped portion 16X fixed to the three sidesof the third fixing plate 16A and the L-shaped portions 16Y fixed to thetwo sides of the third fixing plate 16B, the rigidity of the peripheraledges of the third fixing plates 16A, 16B can be enhanced, and themounting bracket 30 can be fixed firmly to the base member 4.

A nut N2 is fixed by welding to the laterally inner side of each thirdfixing plate 16A, 16B. The rear edge portion 12D has a snakelike shapewith rearwardly protruding portions to which the third fixing plates16A, 16B are fixed. Although not designated by reference numerals, thethird fixing plates 16A, 16B each have a through hole formed in aposition corresponding to the nut N2.

The inner wire frame 12, the second guide plate 22, and the third fixingplates 16A, 16B constitute an inner portion located laterally fartherinward within the vehicle body relative to the airbag 2. In other words,the inner wire frame 12 makes up at least part of the inner portion. Thebase member 4 includes, at a left or right side portion thereof, thenuts N2 as a bracket fixing portion to which the mounting bracket 30 isfixed.

The rear wire frame 13 includes an upper connecting frame 13A and alower connecting frame 13B.

The upper connecting frame 13A is made of a bent metal rod, andrespective end portions thereof are connected to an upper portion of therear edge portion 11D of the outer wire frame 11 and an upper portion ofthe rear edge portion 12D of the inner wire frame 12. A second fixingplate 17A made of a metal plate and provided to fix the upper connectingframe 13A to the side panel 200 is fixed to the upper connecting frame13A by welding.

To elaborate more on the manner of fixing of the second fixing plate17A, the second fixing plate 17A is formed to have a substantiallyrectangular shape. The upper connecting frame 13A includes a U-shapedportion 13X located along three sides (to be more specific, an outerside, an upper side and an inner side) of the second fixing plate 17A.The U-shaped portion 13X is fixed to the three sides of the secondfixing plate 17A with three welds W5 provided at the three sides of thesecond fixing plate 17A. With the U-shaped portion 13X fixed to thethree sides of the second fixing plate 17A, the rigidity of theperipheral edges of the second fixing plate 17A can be enhanced, and theside airbag device 1 can be fixed firmly to the vehicle body.

A nut N3 as an example of a rear-side fixing portion is fixed by weldingto the front side of the second fixing plate 17A.

The lower connecting frame 13B is made of a bent metal rod, andrespective end portions thereof are connected to a lower portion of therear edge portion 11D of the outer wire frame 11 and a lower portion ofthe rear edge portion 12D of the inner wire frame 12. A second fixingplate 17B made of a metal plate and provided to fix the lower connectingframe 13B to the side panel 200 is fixed to the lower connecting frame13B by welding. To elaborate more on the manner of fixing of the secondfixing plate 17B, the second fixing plate 17B is formed to have arectangular shape. The lower connecting frame 13B includes a U-shapedportion 13Y located along three sides (to be more specific, an outerside, an upper side and an inner side) of the second fixing plate 17B.The U-shaped portion 13Y is fixed to the three sides of the secondfixing plate 17B with three welds W6 provided at the three sides of thesecond fixing plate 17B. With the U-shaped portion 13Y fixed to thethree sides of the second fixing plate 17B, the rigidity of theperipheral edges of the second fixing plate 17B can be enhanced, and theside airbag device 1 can be fixed firmly to the vehicle body.

A nut N3 as an example of a rear-side fixing portion is fixed by weldingto the front side of the second fixing plate 17B. Although notdesignated by reference numerals, the second fixing plates 17A, 17B eachhave a through hole formed in a position corresponding to the nut N3.

The rear wire frame 13, the second fixing plates 17A, 17B, and the nutsN3 correspond to a rear portion located farther rearward relative to theairbag with respect to a front-rear direction of the seat, andconnecting the inner portion and the outer portion.

The nut N1 as an example of an outer-side fixing portion is locatedcloser, than the nut N3 as an example of a rear-side fixing portion, tothe interior surface 1A.

The bridging portion 14 is made of a metal rod, and includes a firstbridging portion 14A and a second bridging portion 14B.

The first bridging portion 14A connects the upper edge portion 11Bprovided in an upper portion of the outer wire frame 11 and the upperedge portion 12B provided in an upper portion of the inner wire frame12.

To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), a laterally outer endportion of the first bridging portion 14A is fixed to a laterally innerside surface of the outer wire frame 11 with a weld W provided thereat,and a laterally inner end portion of the first bridging portion 14A isfixed to a laterally outer side surface of the inner wire frame 12. Inthe present embodiment, as one example, the laterally innermost portionof the outer wire frame 11 and the laterally outermost portion of thefirst bridging portion 14A are arranged in contact with or in closeproximity to each other so that the outer wire frame 11 and the firstbridging portion 14A are fixed together. Similarly, the laterally outermost portion of the inner wire frame 12 and the laterally innermostportion of the first bridging portion 14A are arranged in contact withor in close proximity to each other so that the inner wire frame 12 andthe first bridging portion 14A are fixed together.

The second bridging portion 14B connects the lower edge portion 11Cprovided in a lower portion of the outer wire frame 11 and the loweredge portion 12C provided in a lower portion of the inner wire frame 12.

To be more specific, a laterally outer end portion of the secondbridging portion 14B is fixed to a laterally inner side surface of theouter wire frame 11 with a weld W provided thereat, and a laterallyinner end portion of the second bridging portion 14B is fixed to alaterally outer side surface of the inner wire frame 12 with a weld Wprovided thereat. In the present embodiment, as one example, thelaterally innermost portion of the outer wire frame 11 and the laterallyoutermost portion of the second bridging portion 14B are arranged incontact with or in close proximity to each other so that the outer wireframe 11 and the second bridging portion 14B are fixed together.Similarly, the laterally outermost portion of the inner wire frame 12and the laterally innermost portion of the second bridging portion 14Bare arranged in contact with or in close proximity to each other so thatthe inner wire frame 12 and the second bridging portion 14B are fixedtogether.

Herein, the laterally inner side surface of the outer wire frame 11refers to a surface located on a laterally inner side of a verticalsurface 11V containing a center 11E of the outer wire frame 11, i.e., asurface region shown as a range A1. Similarly, the laterally outer sidesurface of the inner wire frame 12 refers to a surface located on alaterally outer side of a vertical surface 12V containing a center 12Eof the inner wire frame 12, i.e., a surface region shown as a range A2.Limitation within these ranges in which the outer wire frame 11 and thelaterally outer end portion of the bridging portion 14 are fixedtogether and the inner wire frame 12 and the laterally inner end portionof the bridging portion 14 are fixed together makes it possible tofirmly connect the outer wire frame 11 and the inner wire frame 12 bythe bridging portion 14 at their portions located at short distance.

In order to more firmly fix the outer wire frame 11 and the inner wireframe 12 by the bridging portion 14, preferably, a limited region of alaterally inner surface of the outer wire frame 11 as shown in FIG. 9(b), i.e., a surface region ranging within 45 degrees upward anddownward with respect to a horizontal plane 11H containing the center11E (see range A3 shown in the drawing) of the outer wire frame 11 andthe laterally outer end portion of the bridging portion 14 are fixedtogether, and a limited region of a laterally outer surface of the innerwire frame 12 as shown in FIG. 9 (c), i.e., a surface region rangingwithin 45 degrees upward and downward with respect to a horizontal line12H containing the center 12H (see range A4 shown in the drawing) of theinner wire frame 12 and the laterally inner end portion of the bridgingportion 14 are fixed together.

The first bridging portion 14A and the second bridging portion 14B arelocated apart from and farther frontward relative to the rear portion.

The first guide plate 21 is so provided as to extend in theupward-downward direction along the front edge portion 11A of the outerwire frame 11 (outer portion), and fixed to the front edge portion 11A,the upper edge portion 11B and the lower edge portion 11C by welding.The first guide plate 21 is located on a storage-space 51 side of thefront edge portion 11A, the upper edge portion 11B and the lower edgeportion 11C.

The first guide plate 21 is so provided as to span a range from theupper edge portion 11B to the lower edge portion 11C, i.e., from theupper end to the lower end of the outer portion. The first guide plate21 has its upper end portion fixed by welding to the upper edge portion11B with a weld 21B provided thereat, and its lower end portion fixed bywelding to the lower edge portion 11C with a weld 21C provided thereat.The first guide plate 21 has its front end portion fixed by welding tothe front edge portion 11A of the outer wire frame 11 with three welds21D provided thereat. The three welds 21D are arranged in theupward-downward direction. Thus, the front edge portion of the firstguide plate 21 is fixed along the front edge portion 11A of the outerwire frame 11.

Furthermore, the first guide plate 21 includes, in its rear end portion,a flange 21A extending outward in the lateral direction as defined withrespect to the vehicle body. The flange 21A is a portion configured tocontact the side panel 200 to thereby restrain the outer portion whenpressed laterally outward by a force acted thereon upon deployment ofthe airbag 2 from becoming warped out of shape. In this embodiment, asshown in FIG. 7, it is already in contact with the side panel 200 beforedeployment of the airbag 2.

The second guide plate 22 is so provided as to extend in theupward-downward direction along the front edge portion 12A of the innerwire frame 12 (inner portion), and fixed to the front edge portion 12A,the upper edge portion 12B and the lower edge portion 12C by welding.The second guide plate 22 is located on a storage-space 51 side of thefront edge portion 12A, the upper edge portion 12B and the lower edgeportion 12C.

The second guide plate 22 is so provided as to span a range from theupper edge portion 12B to the lower edge portion 12C, i.e., from theupper end to the lower end of the inner portion. The second guide plate22 has its upper end portion fixed by welding to the upper edge portion12B with a weld 22B provided thereat, and its lower end portion fixed bywelding to the lower edge portion 12C with a weld 22C provided thereat.The second guide plate 22 has its front edge portion fixed by welding tothe front edge portion 12A of the inner wire frame 12 with three welds22D provided thereat. The three welds 22D are arranged in theupward-downward direction. Thus, the front edge portion of the secondguide plate 22 is fixed along the front edge portion 12A of the innerwire frame 12.

The second guide plate 22 is located parallel to the first guide plate21. This makes the first guide plate 21 and three second guide plate 22capable of receiving, respectively, substantially uniformly distributedportions of force acted thereon upon deployment of the airbag 2, so thatthe rigidity of the base member 4 can be enhanced effectively.

The mounting bracket 30 is a member for mounting the inflator 3 to thebase member 4, and is made of a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 4, themounting bracket 30 includes an inflator fixing portion 31 to which theinflator 3 is fixed, a base member fixing portion 32 which is located ina position different from a position of the inflator fixing portion 31and fixed to the base member 4, and a connecting portion 33 connectingthe inflator fixing portion 31 and the base member fixing portion 32.The base member fixing portion 32 is so provided as to extend from theupper and lower portions of the connecting portion 33 rearward.

As shown in FIG. 7, the inflator fixing portion 31 and the base memberfixing portion 32 each have a shape of a flat plate extending in thefront-rear direction. The inflator fixing portion 31 is located closer,than the base member fixing portion 32, to a center C1 of the basemember 4 in the lateral direction. It is to be understood that thecenter C1 of the base member 4 in the lateral direction is defined as aplane equidistant from the front edge portions 11A, 12A of the basemember 4 in the lateral direction.

The connecting portion 33 has a shape of a flat plate obliquelyextending between and connecting a rear end of the inflator fixingportion 31 and respective front ends of the base member fixing portion32.

The inflator fixing portion 31 is located closer to the interior surface1A, i.e., farther frontward, than the base member fixing portion 32. Thebase member fixing portion 32 is located farther than the inflator 3away from the interior surface 1A.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the inflator 3 includes a plurality of (two,in this embodiment) bolts 3B, and the inflator fixing portion 31 has twoinflator fixing holes 31A through which the two bolts 3B are disposed,respectively.

The base member fixing portion 32 has two (a plurality of) base memberfixing holes 32A through which a plurality of fastening members (twobolts B1, in this embodiment) are disposed, respectively.

The inflator 3 is fixed by the mounting bracket 30 to the base member 4.

To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 7, the inflator 3 is disposedinside the airbag 2, and the airbag 2 is surrounded with a webbing 5 bywhich a direction of deployment of the airbag 2 is restricted (see alsoFIG. 5). The webbing 5 has front end portions each of which is joined tothe outer covering member 7, and serves to assist in cleaving open thecushion pad 6 upon deployment of the airbag 2.

The bolts 3B of the inflator 3 are each disposed through the airbag 2and the webbing 5, as well as a plastic reinforcement plate 8, and theinflator fixing holes 31A. Then, the nuts N4 are screwed on the bolts3B, whereby the mounting bracket 30 is fixed to the inflator 3. As aresult, the bolts 3B protruding from the main body 3A are orientedlaterally inward within the vehicle body.

The base member fixing portion 32 of the mounting bracket 30 is fixed tothe third fixing plate 16A with the bolts B1 inserted through the basemember fixing holes 32A and screwed in the nuts N2. In this way, themounting bracket 30 is fixed to the inner portion of the base member 4.The inflator 3 is fixed together with the airbag 2 to the inner portion.

The aforementioned tool access holes 215 are located in positionsaligned with the bolts B1 and the nuts N2 in the lateral direction, sothat a tool such as a hexagonal socket wrench can be inserted from theouter side of the side panel 200 through each tool access hole 215 totighten the corresponding bolt B1.

Herein, location of the inflator fixing portion 31 closer, than the basemember fixing portion 32, to the center of the base member 4 in thelateral direction makes it easy to have space left between the inflatorfixing portion 31 and the cushion pad 6. Accordingly, the nuts forfixing the bolts 3B of the inflator 3 can be easily located on the rightside of the inflator fixing portion 31 (one side of the inflator fixingportion 31 opposite to the other side on which the center C1 of the basemember 4 in the lateral direction is located). Particularly, in anembodiment where the cushion pad 6 is formed integrally with the basemember 4, the cushion pad 6 may be likely to enter and occupy the spacefarther toward the center of the base member 4; notwithstanding, spacecan be left for location of the nuts N4 with increased ease.

The outer covering member 7 has a laterally outer end portion at which ahook 7A is fixed. The hook 7A is hooked on an outer covering anchorageportion 11F. The outer covering member 7 has a laterally inner endportion at which a hook 7B is fixed. The outer covering member 7 lyingon the laterally inside covers the cushion pad 6 along its right sidesurface to its rear end, then wraps around up to its rear side; thelaterally inner end portion is hooked on the second fixing plates 17A,17B.

The bolts B2 inserted from the outer side of the side panel 200 throughthe first mount holes 211 are fastened to the nuts N1 of the base member4. In this way, the nuts N1 as an example of an outer-side fixingportion of the outer portion are fixed to the side panel 200.

The bolts B3 inserted from the outer side of the side panel 200 throughthe second mount holes 212 are fastened to the nuts N3. In this way, thenuts N3 as an example of a rear-side fixing portion of the rear portionare fixed to the side panel 200.

Accordingly, the base member 4 is fixed to the side panel 200 with thebolts B1 as an example of fastening members with their shanks orientedin a leftward or rightward direction and the bolts B3 as an example offastening members oriented in a frontward or rearward direction. Inother words, the outer-side fixing portion and the rear-side fixingportion of the base member 4 are fixed with a plurality of fasteningmembers with their shanks oriented in different directions; therefore,the side airbag device 1 is fixed to the vehicle body and steadily keptin position.

A front surface of the rear portion, for example, the front surface ofthe second fixing plate 17A, includes a portion located 3 cm or fartherapart in a direction perpendicular to the interior surface 1A from theinflator 3. For example, a distance D1 between the position of therearmost portion of the inflator 3 and the position of the frontmostportion of the second fixing plate 17A is set herein to be 3 cm or more.In this way, a space is provided between the front surface of the rearportion and the inflator 3 so that the airbag can enter the space whenthe airbag is caused to deploy.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first bridging portion 14A and the secondbridging portion 14B are located farther (i.e., farther rearward), thana center C2 of the main body 3A of the inflator 3, away from theinterior surface 1A. The first bridging portion 14A and the secondbridging portion 14B are located farther, than the inflator fixing holes31A, away from the interior surface 1A. Furthermore, the second bridgingportion 14B is located farther (i.e., farther rearward), than every partof the main body 3A, away from the interior surface 1A. It is thus to beunderstood that the bridging portion 14 is so located that at least oneof its subset is farther, than every part of the main body 3A, away fromthe interior surface 1A. It would be considered to be preferable thatthe first bridging portion 14A is also located farther, than every partof the main body 3A, away from the interior surface 1A.

Hereinafter, a brief description will be given of a manufacturing methodadopted when the side airbag device 1 is manufactured.

To make the side airbag device 1, first, a base member 4 is fabricatedby welding, and a cushion pad 6 is formed integrally with the basemember 4 inserted in a mold. Then, an inflator 3 is fixed to a mountingbracket 30, and put inside the base member 4. The cushion pad 6 iscovered by an outer covering member 7, a hook 7A is hooked on an outercovering anchorage portion 11F, and a hook 7B is hooked on second fixingplates 17A, 17B.

Next, the base member 4 is fixed to the side panel 200 with bolts B2,B3. Then, the inflator 3 to which the mounting bracket 30 is fixed isfixed to the base member 4. To be more specific, the bolts B1 is appliedthrough the mounting bracket 30 and engaged in the nuts N2, whereby themounting bracket 30 is fixed to the base member 4. Tightening of thebolts B1 is performed using a tool which may be inserted through thetool access hole 215 as described above.

With this manufacturing method, even after the base member 4 issurrounded with the cushion pad 6 as a result of forming the cushion pad6 integrally with the base member 4, the inflator 3 can be fixed to thebase member 4 easily by fixing, to the base member 4, the inflator 3with a mounting bracket 30 fixed thereto.

Operation and advantageous effects of the side airbag device 1configured as described above in accordance with the present embodimentwill be described below.

When the inflator 3 issues gases in a broadside collision of thevehicle, the airbag 2 gets filled with the gases and inflates and causesthe front side of the cushion pad 6 and the outer covering member 7 tocleave open, to thereby cause the airbag 2 to deploy through theinterior surface 1A into the vehicle interior. In this process, theairbag 2 is constrained within the space sandwiched between the inflator3 and the inflator fixing portion 31 of the mounting bracket 30. Underthe circumstances, the airbag 2 is likely to unfold in a laterallyoutward direction, i.e., on a side opposite to a side on which the innerportion (inflator fixing portion 31) is disposed, within the vehiclebody. Accordingly, the airbag 2 is likely to be caused to deploy alongthe sidewall BS of the vehicle body and the door BD toward a side spaceof an occupant.

Depending on the conditions upon deployment of the airbag 2, e.g., thatthe cushion pad 6 is resistant to cleaving, or the pressure of gasesproduced by the inflator 3 is high, or otherwise, there is a possibilitythat the internal pressure of the airbag 2 will become higher thanexpected. It is nevertheless to be noted that the side airbag device 1according to the present embodiment with the inflator 3 fixed to theinner portion may be designed to have increased space at the rear sideof the inflator 3. Particularly, in this embodiment, the front surfaceof the rear portion has a part spaced 3 cm or more apart from theinflator 3, and thus allows the airbag 2 to unfold into the space at therear side of the inflator 3 when a force produced upon deployment of theairbag 2 is great, with the result that the airbag 2 can be restrainedfrom rapidly and violently inflating frontward for deployment.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the guide plate 20 is located onthe storage-space 51 side of the wire frame 10, e.g., the outer wireframe 11 or the inner wire frame 12, and the airbag 2 can thus be madeunlikely to get hitched on the wire frame 10 upon deployment of theairbag 2. Accordingly, the airbag 2 can be caused to deploy stably.Moreover, the guide plate 20 may serve to reinforce the front edgeportions 11A, 12A of the wire frame 10, so that the rigidity of the basemember 4 can be enhanced. Particularly, in the present embodiment,fixing of the guide plate 20 to the front edge portions 11A, 12A of thewire frame 10 results in mutual reinforcement of the front edge portionof the guide plate 20 and the front edge portion of the wire frame 10,and thus serves to enhance the rigidity of the front edge portion of thebase member 4. Therefore, the outer portion and the inner portion,particularly, the front edge portions 11A, 12A, can be restrained frombecoming warped out of shape upon deployment of the airbag 2, so thatthe airbag 2 can be caused to stably deploy frontward.

Since the bridging portion 14 is located farther, than the center C2 ofthe main body 3A of the inflator 3, away from the interior surface 1A,the airbag 2 is unlikely to get hitched on the bridging portion 14 whenthe airbag 2 is caused to deploy through the interior surface 1A outinto the vehicle interior. Since the bridging portion 14 is locatedfarther, than the inflator fixing hole 31A, away from the interiorsurface 1A, the airbag 2 is unlikely to get hitched on the bridgingportion 14 upon deployment of the airbag 12. Furthermore, since thesecond bridging portion 14B is located farther, than every part of themain body 3A of the inflator 3, away from the interior surface 1A, theairbag 2 is unlikely to get hitched on the bridging portion 14 when theairbag 2 is caused to deploy through the interior surface 1A out intothe vehicle interior. Consequently, the airbag 2 can be caused to deploystably.

Since the bridging portion 14 connects the inner portion and the outerportion, the inner portion and the outer portion are made unlikely tospread out and become warped out of shape laterally outward.Accordingly, the airbag 2 can be caused to deploy stably. Particularly,in this embodiment, the first bridging portion 14A and the secondbridging portion 14B are provided to connect the upper and lower endportions respectively of the outer portion and the inner portion;therefore, the base member 4 can be made more unlikely to become warpedout of shape.

Since the base member 4, in this embodiment, is fixed to the side panel200 at the nuts N1 as an example of the outer-side fixing portionlocated in the outer portion and at the nuts N3 as an example of therear-side fixing portion located in the rear portion, the side airbagdevice 1 can be fixed steadily in position. Accordingly, even if a forceacted thereon by deployment of the airbag 2 is great, the base member 4can be kept in position steadily, so that the airbag 2 can be caused todeploy stably.

In particular, because the nuts N1 as an example of the outer-sidefixing portion are located closer, than the nuts N3 as an example of therear-side fixing portion, to the interior surface 1A, the side airbagdevice 1 can be fixed steadily in position, and the airbag 2 can becaused to deploy stably.

Moreover, since the mounting bracket 32 in this embodiment is sopositioned that the inflator fixing portion 31 is located closer, thanthe base member fixing portion 32, to the interior surface 1A, theairbag 2 is unlikely to get hitched on the base member fixing portion 32upon deployment of the airbag 2, so that the airbag 2 can be caused todeploy stably. Moreover, the airbag 2 is also unlikely to get hitched onthe nuts N1 as an example of the outer-side fixing portion, whereby thedeployment of the airbag 2 can be made more stable. Furthermore, sincethe inflator 3 is located near the interior surface 1A, a space can beprovided easily at the rear side of the inflator 3, with the result thatthe airbag 2 can be restrained from rapidly and violently inflatingfrontward for deployment.

Since the outer covering anchorage portion 11F on which the hook 7A ofthe outer covering member 7 is hooked is located behind the first guideplate 21 as viewed from the storage space 51, the airbag 2 can beallowed to deploy stably without getting hitched on the outer coveringanchorage portion 11F when the airbag 2 is caused to deploy.

Since the first guide plate 21 includes the flange 21A extending outwardin the lateral direction, the edge of the flange 21A can come in contactwith the side panel 200 when deployment of the airbag 2 causes the outerportion to spread out and become warped outward in the lateraldirection, so that the outer portion can be restrained from becomingfurther warped out of shape. Since the flange 21A particularly in thisembodiment is in contact with the side panel 200 at normal times, theouter portion can be made more unlikely to become warped out of shapeupon deployment of the airbag 2, so that the airbag 2 can be caused todeploy stably.

In the present embodiment, the inflator 3 is fixed to the base member 4by the bracket 30. Accordingly, the inflator 3 can be fixed to themounting bracket 30 to form a subassembly, and the base member fixingportion 32 may be used to fix the mounting bracket 30 to the base member4, with the result that the inflator 3 can be mounted to the base member4 with ease. In particular, since the base member fixing portion 32 isin a position shifted rearward relative to a position of the inflator 3,the base member fixing portion 32 is easy to access sideways, so thatthe mounting bracket 30 can be fixed to the base member 4 by making useof the base member fixing portion 32 with ease. The side airbag device 1according to the present embodiment thus achieves increased ease inassembly.

Moreover, since the inflator 3 in the present embodiment is fixed with aplurality of bolts 3B, the inflator 3 can be fixed steadily in position.In addition, the mounting bracket 30 can be fixed to the base member 4steadily in position with a plurality of bolts B1.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in which the basemember 4 is made with the wire frame 10, the rigidity of the base member4 can be increased easily. Therefore, the side airbag device 1 can bemade compact in size, so that the side airbag device 1 can be installedin a compact-type passenger car.

Although one exemplary embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed above, the present invention is not limited to theabove-described embodiment. Specific configurations may be modifiedwhere appropriate without departing from the gist of the presentinvention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the side airbag device 1is fixed directly to the side panel 200; alternatively, a bracket may befixed to the side panel 200, and the side airbag device 1 may be fixedto this bracket.

In the above-described embodiment, the nuts N1, N2, N3 are welded to thefirst fixing plates 15A, 15B, the third fixing plates 16A, 16B, and thesecond fixing plates 17A, 17B, respectively, but the nuts may not bewelded; alternatively, bolts and nuts may be used for fastening, or nutsmay be welded to the vehicle body and bolts may be engaged in the nuts.By extension, rivets or any other fastening members may be used instead.In these alternative configurations, the first fixing plates 15A, 15Bcorrespond to the outer-side fixing portion, the third fixing plates16A, 16B correspond to the bracket fixing portion, and the second fixingplates 17A, 17B correspond to the rear-side fixing portion.

In the above-described embodiment, the hook 7A is hooked on the outercovering anchorage portion 11F provided in the wire frame 10, and thehook 7B is hooked on the second fixing plates 17A, 17B, but theanchorage for each hook 7A, 7B to be hooked on may not be limitedthereto; any suitable place may be adopted in conformity with thestructural features of the base member.

In describing the embodiment above, a side airbag device used in a rearseat of an automobile has been taken as an example, but mayalternatively be used in a front seat.

In describing the embodiment above, a base member made of a wire framehas been taken as an example, but the base member may alternatively bemade of material other than the wire frame, such as plastic, a metalplate, etc.

In describing the embodiment above, a configuration in which an outerportion and an inner portion of the base member are fixed to the vehiclebody has been taken as an example, but the mounting structure for thebase member may not be limited thereto; alternatively, the base membermay be fixed to the vehicle body only at its outer portion, or only atits rear portion, instead.

Any of the elements explained in relation to the exemplified embodimentsand illustrative modified examples disclosed in this description may beimplemented in combination as desired.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A side airbag device disposed between avehicle body and a seat, the side airbag device comprising: an airbag;an inflator configured to supply the airbag with gas; a base memberconfigured to accommodate the airbag and the inflator, and to be fixedto the vehicle body; an outer covering member configured to cover atleast a front side of the base member to form a front-facing interiorsurface; and a mounting bracket which includes an inflator fixingportion to which the inflator is fixed and a base member fixing portionwhich is located in a position different from a position of the inflatorfixing portion and fixed to the base member, wherein the base membercomprises: a left side portion facing a left side of the inflator, aright side portion facing a right side of the inflator, a bracket fixingportion that is provided at the left side portion or the right sideportion and to which the base member fixing portion of the mountingbracket is fixed a wire frame, and a fixing plate, wherein the wireframe has a bent portion that extends along two adjacent sides or threesides of the fixing plate, the fixing plate is fixed to the bent portionof the wire frame, and the bracket fixing portion is provided at thefixing plate.
 2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, whereinthe inflator fixing portion is located closer, than the base memberfixing portion, to the interior surface.
 3. The side airbag deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the base member fixing portion is locatedfarther, than the inflator, away from the interior surface.
 4. The sideairbag device according claim 1, wherein the inflator fixing portion islocated closer, than the base member fixing portion, to a center of thebase member in a lateral direction.
 5. The side airbag device accordingto claim 1, wherein the inflator comprises a plurality of bolts, andwherein the inflator fixing portion comprises a plurality of inflatorfixing holes through which the plurality of bolts are disposed,respectively.
 6. The side airbag device according to claim 1, whereinthe base member fixing portion comprises a plurality of base memberfixing holes through which a plurality of fastening members aredisposed, respectively.
 7. The side airbag device according to claim 1,wherein the base member comprises an inner portion located laterallyfarther inward within the vehicle body relative to the airbag, andwherein the mounting bracket is fixed to the inner portion.
 8. The sideairbag device according to claim 1, wherein the wire frame is made of ametal rod, the fixing plate is made of a metal plate, and the bentportion includes an L-shaped portion or a U-shaped portion to which thefixing plate is welded.
 9. The side airbag device according to claim 1,further comprising a cushion pad with which the base member is covered.10. A method for manufacturing a side airbag device according to claim1, the method comprising: forming a cushion pad integrally with the basemember; fixing the base member to the vehicle body; and fixing, to thebase member, the mounting bracket to which the inflator is fixed.